Hayler, of Newchurch, Lancashire, later appeared in a magistrates' court and was convicted of battery. He was also fined £300 as well as the compensation order.

Details of the case emerged for the first time as the grandfather lost his appeal against his conviction at Burnley Crown Court.

He told the court he thought the boy was going to spit at him, and claimed the teenager raised his right arm with the intention of hitting him.

Hayler said he responded by instinctively striking a blow with his right fist.

Judge Ian Leeming, sitting with two justices, threw out the appeal, despite 'impressive references' from former MPs and the former leader of Lancashire County Council and ordered Hayler to pay further costs of £620.

The judge said: "He did punch and cause these far-from-trivial injuries, not in self-defence. We are sure he did not believe he was about to be attacked."

But speaking after the hearing, Hayler a former governor at Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot Primary Schools branded his conviction 'absolutely amazing'.

The grandfather said: "Our family are all disappointed at the verdict. "In law, a jury would convict only if there was overriding evidence of guilt and any doubt would deem the defendant as not guilty.

"The youths were witnessed vandalising my property, but have lied about the extent of the vandalism.

"The police have been ineffectual in investigating a series of vandalism, despite numerous calls from my wife.

"The fact that I have been arrested, and subsequently convicted of assault by battering, is absolutely amazing as I have no previous convictions for any offence whatsoever.

"I feel that it is reprehensible that the police have chosen to pursue the victim of anti-social behaviour in favour of a group of vandals."